Fiber in Vermont: Getting High-Speed Internet to Your Home

Did you know that more than 50% of Vermonters have access to fiber internet? Over the past few years, the state government and Communications Union Districts (CUDs) in our state have been working to increase reliable, fast internet access in both rural and urban areas. 

Ready to make the switch to reliable, high-speed internet, instead of the glitchy connection you’re used to? It’s time to explore fiber internet opportunities in Vermont.

The Benefits of Fiber Internet

To truly understand all the benefits of fiber internet, it’s important to know how it works. Service technicians from your area’s provider start by extending an optical cable from a nearby network hub to your home. Then, the cable is connected to an optical network terminal (ONT), turning light signals into electrical signals to power your Wi-Fi router. 

There are many benefits that come with fiber internet options, including:

• Fast speeds and greater bandwidth: Everyone in your household can stream, download, and upload on their devices, and internet speeds won’t slow down.
• Increased reliability: Fiber-optic cables are made of thin strands of glass or plastic, which are more resistant than the standard copper cable that brings internet to your home. These cables are less likely to be impacted by weather-related issues.
• Better data security: Fiber-optic cables are more resistant to electromagnetic interference, making them less susceptible to hacking attempts and other disruptions.

Buried vs. Aerial Service

When you decide on fiber to be your home’s internet provider, you have the option to choose buried or aerial service. Aerial service is often more cost effective and less time consuming—service providers can use existing telephone poles to connect fiber to your home, rather than digging to bury cables. Buried service, on the other hand, is less fragile and more reliable. It’s also often more expensive and service providers can run into issues like tree roots or difficult terrain. 

Talk with your fiber internet service provider about your options so you can determine which option is right for your home.

Local Vermont CUDs to Choose as Your Internet Provider

Vermont is made up of nine Communications Union Districts (CUDs)—organizations made up of two or more towns that create a municipal entity that works to build communication infrastructure. Much like school districts, CUDs are municipal nonprofits, working to benefit residents and not putting taxpayers at risk. It’s these CUDs that make strides to bring fiber internet access to residents across the state, especially those in rural areas. 

Many rural Vermont communities don’t have reliable access to the internet, limiting the ability to join telehealth appointments, participate in remote work opportunities, and connect with family and friends who live outside their household. Since it was established in 2021, the Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) has been working to fuel grant programs to support the nine CUDs to make broadband internet more accessible for rural Vermonters and lower the cost for users. 

Here are the nine CUDs in Vermont and the areas they cover:

• Chittenden County Communications Union District (CCCUD)
• DVFiber Communications Union District
• ECFiber Communications Union District
• Lamoille Fibernet Communications Union District
• Maple Broadband
• NEKCV Communications Union District
• Northwest Fiberworx Communications Union District
• Otter Creek Communications Union District
• SoVT-Southern Vermont Communications Union District

See the full map of Vermont's Communications Union Districts and the areas they cover here.

Choosing fiber internet for your home doesn’t just benefit your household; installation can often make fiber internet accessible to your neighbors. When you select a local provider for your broadband needs, you’re making a commitment to support an organization that cares about its users and provides accessible internet for all.

As more and more Vermonters choose fiber internet, you won’t want to be left behind!

Get more tips about life in Vermont. Explore our recent blogs!